The Power of Partnerships – takeaways from our Spring Conference

The Power of Partnerships – takeaways from our Spring Conference

As INNZ looks ahead to our next big partnership project – the joint NAI / INNZ International Interpreters Conference – I’d like to take a moment to reflect on our most recent event, our 2015 Annual Spring Conference.

Two key messages constantly appeared in all the presentations – the importance of shared values and sharing value; and the power that partnerships has to create something that is greater than its parts. Thanks again to all our amazing speakers for sharing your experiences and knowledge. Here are only a few of the ‘takeaways’ …

“Ask “who is in your waka?” Keep the story at the heart of the partnership… the story becomes a guide on who to talk to.” – Melinda Loe, Kotahi Tourism

“There is a strong recognition that we couldn’t do it alone. Ours is a symbiotic relationship, we are always aware that we both need each other very much.”
– Ngaire Wallen, Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society

“We all seek out partnerships to do a whole lot of things, but we don’t often think that we have stories in common. We have created a common language and have achieved more by coming together and working collegiality.” – Karen Fifield, Wellington Zoo

“The involvement of iwi vastly enriched the result. It’s there, embedded throughout. It all worked because it was a great site, a great story and the partnerships were cemented right from the start.”
– Steve Bagley, DOC

“If you are really clear about what your space is about… and the stories that you want to tell in this space, and making those accessible and something that people want to be a part of, that helps a lot…. rather than leaving yourself open to opinion, state THIS is what it’s about and if you’ve got a perspective then we’d love to hear it.”
– Oli du Bern, Wellington Zoo

“Passing on what we learned was a key element of the project. By talking about it and sharing what we know is like being paid twice – the immediate payment is not obvious but it definitely added value; it was a big reputation boost for us, helped us keep our relevance as a regional museum, and shone the light on what we are entrusted to look after.”
– Mackenzie Paton, Dowse Art Museum

“We are all standing on the shifting sands of change. Partnerships help us assess ourselves and each other; they are someone to hold onto while the ground moves beneath our feet, that mirror to see yourself more clearly and that helping hand to do better.”
– John Pastorelli, Ochre Learning